Conveyancing London – Thinking of purchasing in Wandsworth ?

Related Glossary Terms

1. The London Borough of Wandsworth has over 40 conservation areas in the borough. They range from traditional village centres in Battersea and Roehampton to residential areas around the Wandsworth Common. The Conservation and Design group of Wandsworth looks closely at development proposals which have to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of these area which can be defined as an area of special architectural or historic interest.

The searches within the HIP will reveal whether you live in a conservation area or not and whether an Article 4 Direction applies. You can also check Wandsworths property list or map search on the Wandsworth web site (http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk) to find out. You are strongly advised to check with the borough planner if any additional controls apply before you carry out any works to your property.

Your conveyancing lawyer should advise as to whether or not the property you are purchasing is within a conservation area as this may affect your ability to obtain planning permission for alterations to the property. In some circumstances, you will need conservation area consent from Wandsworth Council to demolish a building or structure (with certain exceptions) - this gives Wandsworth the chance to consider the contribution of an existing property to the area before deciding on any proposed replacement. Conservation Area Consent for demolition is normally only granted where the property does not make a positive contribution to the overall character of the conservation area in question and a simultaneous planning permission for a suitable replacement property is applied for.

The extensions and alterations that you can make to the property without needing planning permission are more limited than elsewhere. By way of example a satellite dish at the front of the house or rendering and stone cladding a house may require permission.

2. Consider using the Wandsworth Council’s web site where you can find planning applications and Building Regulation applications for historic and current planning documentation, not only in respect of your property but also in respect of neighbouring properties as well. If you are purchasing a property in Wandsworth why not take advantage of the freely available information for applications that may be applicable to properties within the street where you are proposing to purchase. Your conveyancing lawyer is not obliged to provide you with information relating to planning applications for surrounding properties so it for you to check out this information.

3. A large number of leasehold flats in Wandsworth are managed by the London Borough of Wandsworth who will also be the landlord of the property. When buying a leasehold property in Wandsworth managed by the Local Authority you should specifically look to find out information about future works to your building as the Local Authority will have very detailed plans for future works for all properties which the Local Authority are the freehold owner. Sometimes major works or maintenance charge works can be very high. Clearly, you do not want to purchase a property only to find out that there are major works planned as you could be faced with a significant bill shortly after purchase. Please ensure that your conveyancing solicitor makes appropriate enquiries.

4. If you are intending to purchase a newly built property in Wandsworth there is a possibility that there will be restrictions within the deeds relating to parking. Property lawyers with experience in conveyancing London properties should know where to look to find any such restrictions (it may well be that the restrictions are contained within a planning document known as a Section 104 Agreement, or the Lease of the property). This may be something that you wish to check with your conveyancing solicitor if your conveyancing is not being conducted by Fridaysmove .

This article should not be interpreted as complete list of investigations that an experienced conveyancing lawyer would make but, rather, represents a sample of the issues that could apply to a residential purchase transaction in Wandsworth. The conveyancing team Fridaysmove would be delighted to act for you on a purchase of a property, leasehold or freehold, in Wandsworth but if you do not wish to engage our services, then we would still recommend that you retain the services of a conveyancing practice who are familiar with conveyancing London properties and in particular Wandsworth properties.

The conveyancing lawyers of Fridaysmove have carried out hundreds of conveyancing Wandsworth properties in recent times. If you have any questions relating to conveyancing in Wandsworth please ask to speak to one of our property lawyer s in the Wandsworth Conveyancing Team.

Fridaysmove comply with and are subject to the SRA Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2011. Chartered surveyors introduced by Fridaysmove are regulated by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). Fridaysmove is a trading name of Fitzalan Partners Limited Registered in England and Wales. Company No:07314708 VAT No:105576520 ICO Registration No:Z2607836